Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-23

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May it be not many years before the
young of both sexes who come on
some brief visit to Richmond shall
not only delight in its varied hills
and splendid streets and noble river and
beautiful, peaceful Hollywood; shall
not only gaze on the exquisite symme-
try and homely grace Of the old Capi-
tol. and search out the Houdon statue !;
not only stand entranced before the
equestrian Washington and his grand
Revolutionary comrades-a work OF art
with which not many Of its kind in all
the world can he compared-but shall
presently come out along street that
more aud more deserves its name, to
behold the new statue OF one whom
Vireinians to the remotest ages must
delight to honor, and then entering
Richmond's own college, shall find
that all these beauties Of nature and
glories OF architecture and triumphs OF
the modern chisel have but prepared
them somewhat better to appreciate
even copies of those immortal works
in which the old Italian painters and
the ancient Greek sculptors still reign
supreme in the highest domains of art.
JAMES THOMAS, JR.
He then said that as this hall is now
formally opened as memorial OF
James Thomas, Jr., who for more than
forty years was trustee of Richmond
College, he deemed the occasion appro-
pirate for offering some account of his
life and character, with especial en-
phasis upon his interest in higher edu-
cation, and particularly in Richmond
College.
DR.. Broadus then gave an exceed
inely interesting sketch of the life and
character Of James Thomas, Jr., which
we regret that we have not space to re-
produce. He traced his life from the
time. he came as q poor boy from
Caroline county to Richmond, told
Of his early struggles and his
gradual success until he amassed
large fortune, and brought out
the fact that he was governed all
through his career by the strictest busi-
ness integrity and high Christian prin-
ciple. He was always active in his
church (the First Baptist, as well as in
his business. He was for years super
intendent of his Sunday school, and
especially active and liberal in the re-
ligious instruction Of the negroes and
in securing to them the old First Afri-
can church.
DIR. Broadus drew n very fine analysis
of Mr.. ThOmas's character, and spoke
Of his charities, which were widespread
and often unknown to the public or
even to the recipient of his bene-
factions. He always took the deepest
interest in higher education, and be-
sides being the lifelong benefactor OF
Richmond College, he was the founder
of the Richmond Female Institute, and
a liberal giyer to the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary.
After speaking of various occasions
on which Mr.. Thomas had liberAllv
helped Richmond College DR.. Broadus
concluded his every way admirable adj
dress hy saying: Mr.. Thomass last
{ gift to the college was made in 1891, a
year before his death, being an ondow-
mcnt of S25, eco for a proiessorship F.;
end the school Of philosophy was sub
soquently designated. The total amount
of his gifts TO the college first and last
cannot be accurately determined, and
has been variously estimated at from
$50, ,000 to $50, ,O00.
Learning that the trustees proposed
to set apart this museum and art hall
as a memorial of James, Thomas, Jr. e,
his family have united in giving ST. 900
to found 1.-THE Thomas Museum Lee
ture Endowment" The income of this
endowment is to be used annually " to
secure the delivery at the college (and
if practicable, in the Thomas Museum)
of course Of lectures on subjects
either of science or philosophy or oi
art" These lectures are to be delivered
by "really eminent men Of our own,
and Of other countries, and are to be
open to the public.
CONCLUDING WORDS.
We should remember that not even
the largest donations of this faithful
friend were probably SO helpful to the
college as his frequent smaller gifts ut
critical periods. Many times, both be-
fore and latter the war, when the finances
fell short and the trustees were utterly
at loss, he quietly said that nc would
pay the debt, or that he would give so
and so upon such conditions, and
thus the wheels were kept moving.
All there are few who will
ever know the long aud sore struggle
by which our higher institutions have
been sustained and gradually strength
ened, especially in the trying years
that followed the war. Thank God for
the devoted men who have persevered
in their ill-paid task of high instruc-
ton, for the many who have given
something amid poverty and embar-
rassment, and for the few devoted
friends Of one or another institution
who have stood by, and, at whatsoever
inconvenience TO themselves, have
stepped forward in every season OF
peril. But most of all did Mr. Thomas
aid this college by his wise counsels,
and by the inspiration of his elevated,
broad, cheerful views as to the aims and
possibilities of higher education. A
| great institution OF the sort cannot be
suddenly created ii must be a growth.
Much has been done for Richmond Col
lege by earlier and later and present
teachers some Of them highly gifted
and very noble men; much by the
diligent students, who have furnished
an inspiring example TO their fellows
during college life and are rejecting
true honor upon their Alma Mater by
subsequent usefulness and renown !;
much by the wise management of the
trustees in the city and throughout the
State, and by the popular interest
awakened through the very necessity Of
repeatedly appealing for current sup
port and endowment, but among the
most potent elements that have entered
into the very constitution and gone to
determine the vital influence of Rich
mond College have been the spirit and
temper OF the remarkable man whose
career we have this evening surveyed.
II has long been true, and will long
continue to be, that students going
forth from this place must carry with
them, among those unconscious impress
sions which are often so powerful, some
impress from the character of James
Thomas, Jr. This college is fortunate
in its location. In many another
State are excellent institutions,
whose wisest friends now keen
1v wish that thav TOO had hean